About Our MFA Program

School of Music for Visual Media

About Our MFA Program

The Music for Visual Media MFA offers graduate students mastery-level training in the language of music, and how to apply that language to visual media, including film, television, web, video games, and animation. Coursework is designed to provide a strong foundation in music fundamentals, as well as a broad-based approach to all aspects of collaborative work in the music for picture industry, including the latest computer-based production tools. The graduate program culminates in a thesis project designed to showcase the student’s accumulated acumen in the language of music for picture.

MFA Program Learning Outcomes

School of Music for Visual Media

MFA graduates of the School of Music for Visual Media will meet the following student performance criteria:

1. MFA Thesis Project
   

   • Students will conceive and complete an original MFA thesis project which represents an advanced level of achievement in the field of music creation for visual media.  Prior to being awarded the MFA, students must present their work before a review committee.

2. Music Composition
   

   • Advanced understanding of the language of music: harmony, melody and rhythm.
   • Analyze dramatic scoring in masterwork examples.
   • Demonstrate advanced listening skills and identify key musical components.
   • Orchestrate and arrange music at a professional level.

3. Music Scoring for Visual Media
   

   • Create music which supports or heightens the emotional impact of visual images (or visual material).
     
   • Write or edit music for different visual environments (such as film, television, animation, games, multimedia, and commercials) at a professional level.

4. Production Skills and Technical Knowledge
   

   • Demonstrate expert-level proficiency with software related to contemporary music production techniques.

5. Professional Readiness
   

   • Think critically and demonstrate flexibility in creating or editing music for client needs.
   • Collaborate effectively with a creative team on a given project, such as a film, television show, animation, game, multimedia project, or commercial.

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
2. Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
3. Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
4. Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
5. Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
6. Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
7. Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.